They can legally disarm you for their safety. I don't remember the exact words of the law but remember when I went through the CHL class that they said you have to surrender your weapon if an officer asks for it.

Cop

Cop

Cop

Hide yo kidz hide yo wife, nothin but cops in hur!

While it can fell refreshing to exercise a right such as open carry of a rifle, it spooks the living shit out of the masses of government loving sheeple out there. They end up calling 911 about a lunatic with a gun walking down the road with a kid and it all just goes downhill from there.

There are times to exercise your rights out in the open and there are times to just be the gray man that no one notices. That doesn't mean that the gray man can't be prepared to provide for his own safety, though. Just don't look forward to your little .380 you carry around town in your pocket to do much for you against a cougar or bear in the woods. Carry something bigger but yet fairly concealed to keep the sheeple from stampeding if one sees you.

Concealed is the way to go when you are out among the masses. If you are out in the backcountry where damn near everyone owns a rifle, you are probably fine to sling your rifle over your shoulder on your walkabout since you are obviously among like minded individuals. Try that same thing in a populated area and you are going to get the stink eye from all the Napoleon complex badge carriers in the vicinity.

As far as this Texas situation, I hope that the citizen sues the shit out of them. Even in instances where a citizen wasn't doing a wise thing for the area, rights are rights and should not be infringed upon.

Which right did they infringe on?

If the man wasn't being a danger to others and acting within the laws of Texas, why should the police agitate the man into a confrontation unless their department has and agenda against gun owners? That's the view those of us on this side of the blue line have.

I don't have a problem if the police wish to take control of the weapon during initial questioning, but if no laws were found to be broken, return the firearm right then and there. Don't call your buddies in just to drum up some bs charge in order to "teach him a lesson". Shit like this is why no one trusts the police to start with.

You guys are so easily lured into a debate over a partial story. There is always more to it. Yet ya'll still love to go with it and over sensationalize what you think is the whole story. Of course most people when they tell there side, it is in favor of them. Most people aren't neutral or want to tell the whole story.

Your argument is emotional, not logical.

What right did they infringe on?

Dudes kid is a horrible cameraman

Not cop

The manner in which they disarmed the man is the problem. Yes, they can disarm him if they feel threatened......but they can't just go around snatching someones gun from them, that's bullshit.

Did I ever say they couldn't put you in handcuffs? Hell, I've been in handcuffs because I was a witness to a crime and they got confused and thought I was the perpetrator, once they figured out what was going on and calmed the crowd down I was released......I know all about being in handcuffs...

and.......like I have already said, I don't know what went on before the camera started rolling. I don't trust cops, so I agree I am posting from a biased viewpoint. I'll give you nothing further to try and argue about.

2nd Amendment - This one is obvious
4th Amendment - Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
5th Amendment - He was deprived of his property without due process.

2nd wasn't infringed upon. They were going to secure his weapon while they talked to him and thats it. Common practice. You said yourself that you understood why they do that.

4th wasn't infringed upon. He was stopped and detained for investigation because they were responding to a call. They didn't have to "search" for the rifle because it was in plain view and the pistol was found because he volunteered the information. Even if he hadn't volunteered the information they could have terry frisked him for weapons and they would have found it then. Most people don't truely understand their 4th amendment rights, especially when it comes to dealing with the police.

5th amendment doesn't apply because he was being detained for an investigation and his weapons were rightfully secured during that time.

You don't have all of your rights all of the time. And unfortunately you don't get to pick and chose what rules you play by.

The most important part of this entire equation is that the officers were there responding to a call. If there was no call, the rules are different.

I said in my very first post that everyone involved was an idiot. As unsual, I pick a side and let the debates begin! Since everyone on here hates cops, I always argue the other side. There's alot better arguement from ya'lls side but ya'll are too hung up on "I know my rights!"

Oh by the way- this guy clearly had an agenda before any of this even happened. Visit his facebook, twitter or blog.

And before I forget, he is raising money (of course) to fight his cause so ya'll make sure to donate!

Moral of the story: If you want to enjoy your rights, keep your distance from cops and don't do anything to attract their attention. That includes not doing anything that would spook the populace into calling the cops to come "check" on you. You just don't know if a good cop or bad cop will be coming your way, so it would be best to avoid them all together.

Considering the heated debates we have here on the forum about the conduct of police, I do consider more of them to be true professionals than not, based on my interactions with them through the years. I would estimate the average force as containing 2/3rds professionals and 1/3rd power trippers needing to find another line of work. It is this 1/3rd segment that does way more damage to the image of police than the other 2/3rds can ever do by doing all the right things every time. If that side of the blue line could ever be self cleaning, the image of police would be a lot more respectful.

Sounds about right!

WTH!! I don't hate cops. I like you and papabear. :poke:

I'm a supermodel, you guys already know that.

Arguing is for suckers.